Sa Alaala Na Lang Ba Talaga? My ‘Fili’ Journey

As promised, I will now write a dramatic farewell letter to everyone who became part of Dulaang UP’s Isang Panaginip Na Fili.

Dramatic music please… (Maalaala mo kaya….)

July 16, 2008. The day that changed my life. The day that I will never forget. The day that I never imagined to happen even in my wildest dreams. It was a rainy Wednesday morning in the CAL library when I got the text message from someone who introduced herself as Angela, who happened to be the stage manager, congratulating me for being a part of the cast of Fili as chorus. I can still remember where I am seated when I read that message. The world seemed to stop but I can still hear the rain pouring. My heart pounded like it never pounded before. I almost cried during that moment. I wanted to shout and tell the whole world (especially those who don’t believe that I can do it) that I passed the audition. I will be part of a legitimate theatre production for the very first time and take note, it’s DUP! From that day on, the rain has been so memorable to me.

Praise God talaga ‘coz He gave me this chance to be a part of a DUP play. Sabi ko nga kay God, pagkatapos nito Lord pwede mo na akong kunin. Joke! I’ve been asking Him for so long to give me this chance at ngayon ibinigay niya nga. I love You Lord! I got to brush elbows with the big names in the industry.

I didn’t expect that we’re gonna have the rehearsals on a daily basis even on weekends. Yikes! Add the fact that I’m still a student at the College of Engineering in UP. I realized that I need to sacrifice a lot of things to give way to my first professional theatre production. True enough, I learned to sacrifice the things that I love doing like hanging out with friends, playing DOTA with them, and having dinner with them. Kahit papaano, nakayanan ko naman na hindi makita ang mga kaibigan ko ng mahabang panahon para sa produksyong ito. But I got to meet new people in Fili, everyday strangers who suddenly became people I can’t imagine living without. I’m so blessed to have them as friends. Sila ang madalas kong makasamang maghintay ng jeep pauwi, mag-dinner sa Philcoa, kumain ng ice cream sa mini-stop, kaasaran at kakwentuhan, at higit sa lahat, mga tunay na kaibigan. (Shucks drama nanaman!!!)

During the whole rehearsal period, I learned a lot of things. I learned to accept criticisms and use those to improve in my craft. May pressure sa bawat isa to be the best that he/she can be pero it’s a good kind of pressure. Everyone gave their best talaga for this show, the tech staff, the prod staff, the backstage crew, the cast, everyone! Nakaka-overwhelm talaga na mag-rehearse ng 4 hours each day. Pero kahit ganun, nag-eenjoy naman ako. So sulit ang pagod at puyat.

There came a time na naging mechanical na ako sa pag-attend ng rehearsals na kahit walang rehearsal, I still look forward to that 5:30pm calltime. Actually, during the first few days of rehearsals, medyo ilang pa ako sa ilang mga tao pero as time goes by, I learned to love each and everyone. Masaya palang makasama ang mga taong ‘to. I’m so thankful to God that I got to spend some time with these people na naging part na ng life ko for the past 3 months. Kaya it’s so hard for me to let go of them and move on with my life. Kanina lang naiyak ako sa FC. Senti mode kasi ako kanina.

October 4, 2008. Last day of our extended run. Yes! Nag-extend kami for one week. Our last show was a blast. Nag-uumapaw ang energy sa start pa lang. Sa Finale, hindi ko napigilang umiyak. Grabe! Hikbi-hikbi school of acting! At humagulgol na nga ako nung curtain call! Mixed emotions. I’m happy ‘coz I got to perform with these people. I’m sad ‘coz it has to end. Time flies so fast when you’re having so much fun.

To the prod staff, I appreciate your hardwork. It’s a pleasure working with you, a bunch of crazy but energetic and happy people. I love you all!

To Angela, you’re the best! Congratulations! We won’t be this successful without you. Astig ka!

To my Trumpets colleagues, Mica Pineda, RJ Solis, and Aljuri Pangilinan, We rock! Yeah! It’s good to have people like you in my first professional theatre production. See you at Trumpets! A place to be a star! Yeah!

To the senior actors, thanks for being so nice and for igniting my passion for theatre.